HB 1259 has been vetoed. The reason given by the governor is the current written version needs to add some revisions, to clairify for the people who do not understand the letter of the law for private investigators.

As it stands right now, it seems the USDOJ version of Forensic Computer (FC) people will be the standard for exclusion of FC folks, should the Bill be attempted again. For those CPA's, etc that were concerned, I hope you get more time to really read and understand the Private Detective, Rules and LAWS before you over react again.

Decius wrote:
I just received fairly reliable word that the Georgia Private Investigator Felony Statute has been vetoed by the Governor. Unfortunately I don't have a press link on that, so if anyone out there has a secondary source they can confirm this through, that would be helpful, but it seems like the Governor has heard the message from the technology community and understood the ramifications of this law. Thank you to everyone who communicated with them!

Confirmed:

The existing definition of “private detective business,” continued in this bill, in conjunction with the applicable exemptions in the law, fails to exclude from the private investigator licensing requirement many professions that collect information or may be called as expert witnesses in court proceedings. To expand the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony without revision of the existing definitions in the law could result in unintended consequences; I therefore VETO HB1259.

RE: HB 1259 Vetoed!